How to lose the people?

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

This 2009 photo at Bodnant Gardens in Wales was the catalyst for me to research post-processing programmes which eventually led me to purchase PSE9. I want to GET RID of those inconsiderate people that popped out of the building just as I clicked. I've learnt a little bit but still have a long way to go and in fact have got caught up on playing with "actions" rather than learning PSE9 itself. And I've also been learning a lot more about photography in general rather that PP. So I can finally put this photo to bed, would you be able to point me in the right direction with some tips of removing them (and anything else you thibk the photo needs) thanks.

[cyber3d]

My suggested method is:
Open in PSE9
Duplicate base layer
Using magnetic lasso select the entire inside of the 4th archway (from the left side - of the 5 archways)
Copy and paste it - it will paste as a new top layer
Transform it "mirror it" horizontally
Move it (arrow key or Shift-Hold-Drag) onto the archway with the people in it

You may have to tweek the levels/exposure/brightness/ etc to make it match
If his leg is still showing, goto the middle layer and use the clone tool to eliminate it

You should do the same for the reflection in the pond

Good luck, post your results.

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Thanks cyber3d for your help, I'll work my way through your suggestions(some sound totally foreign to me). I'll come back with any queries(if I have any) or post my result in due course.

[Tzetsin]

This trick wont help you this time... but next time you shoot a high traffic location, or people simply pop outta no where an wont leave, just take multiple shots with the folks in different locations. Then when your home and in PS just layer all your shots and "erase" the people from each layer until perfection. Its something your going to want to learn to deal with sooner than later as pretty much anywhere you go thats worth shooting is going to have gobs of people doing the same damn thing

Of course you cant move at all for each shot, and works best on a tripod.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Tzetsin

This trick wont help you this time... but next time you shoot a high traffic location, or people simply pop outta no where an wont leave, just take multiple shots with the folks in different locations. Then when your home and in PS just layer all your shots and "erase" the people from each layer until perfection. Its something your going to want to learn to deal with sooner than later as pretty much anywhere you go thats worth shooting is going to have gobs of people doing the same damn thing

Of course you cant move at all for each shot, and works best on a tripod.

At that point, just throw a heavy-duty ND filter onto the lens and watch as they blur away

[inkista]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

At that point, just throw a heavy-duty ND filter onto the lens and watch as they blur away

Unless they're then inconsiderate enough to park their asses and wait out the shot. (sigh).



40 second exposure. All the surfers, waders, walkers, dogs erased. But that one person just stood there the whole freaking time....

Man, I hate tourists.

[Gulf Coast Girl]

Nice shot Kiwi, I love the reflection on still water

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

It took some time, some deep concentration and a few googles of tutorials to find the right tools and how to work them but I got there! I don't know what I did but I had the whole picture moving around instead of the archway at one stage. Then I couldn't get that clone tool to get the right colour.

Thanks so much for your help cyber3D



Good trick Tzetsin, I must remember that for next time. Wouldn't have worked with this one as I only had my tiny point & shoot.

Took me awhile to find the person inkista, that pier is obviously much bigger than it appears.

Thanks GulfCoastGirl, the UK has such beautiful light, even on a overcast day. It's just not as harsh as here or in Florida.

[cyber3d]

Hey congratulations on an awesome job! Ya did good kiddo.

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

I just spotted that I've flipped the whole picture! The autumn coloured leaves are now on the left hand side of the picture I'm not sure what I've done but I'm sure it has something to do with fliiping the image opposed to the layer. I shall have to have another go.

Another question if you don't mind, what would you do if there wasn't a mirror image available (in this case the arch) to get rid of the people?